My name is Sara, and I am a girl who works at a sports store. Moving to the Bay Area has been amazing so far, and one of my many favorite things about living here is how big of a deal sports are. The Warriors, Giants, Sharks, and 49ers are just a few teams to name. As a sports fanatic, I was so excited to be in a place where I can work in a sport- driven city. I work in a privately owned sports store, which has been so fun and kind of upsetting for the following reasons.
I get asked questions from people who treat me as if I had no idea what sports even are. Not even joking, I was once asked "Do you have a Steph Curry jersey? He plays for the Warriors. You might not know they're a basketball team?"
Then I promptly answered, "Oh, you want a jersey for this year's MVP, who was also last year's MVP, scored 402 points from 3 pointers this season, and who was the first ever unanimous MVP? Why yes, we have his jersey in home, away, and slate. Which one and what size would you like?" Now I know I probably could have just answered with a simple yes or no, but his attitude and condescending tone made my blood boil.
We had a guy who worked at our store who never is asked dumb questions like the ones I am asked. I am constantly having to over compensate so that when I tell someone, "Oh yeah, I like the Warriors," I can be ready to be bombarded with a ton of questions that most people wouldn't dare ask a man who says they like the Warriors.
Guys constantly say, "Wow, you actually know sports," which at first sounds kind of nice, like yes I do actually know about sports. But why do you automatically assume I don't? A person should not be so surprised when I tell them I know my fair share of sports knowledge. Many guys tell me and my fellow employees they just want "bro" time when they go into a sports store, and it perplexes me when they say that. If you're looking for an intellectual conversation about the current events of different national sports leagues, a girl or guy can give you that.
I may be a 19-year-old girl, but I know my sports. I shouldn't have people be shocked when they realize I know what I'm talking about. I also get customers who come in that I can have 30-minute conversations with. We will have a civilized conversation about the NFL draft, the Giants' current season, or, unfortunately, the loss the Warriors just faced. I can have these conversations and never get belittled for my gender/age.
Sports are events that can bring all of us together, no matter your age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. If you're a fan, you're a fan. We should be so excited our fandom is growing and not be so quick to judge who is joining it.
This is a day and age where girls can know about sports, video games, and other stereotypical "boy" things, and boys can be into makeup, clothes, and other stereotypical "girl" things. That's what makes us awesome as people. Our difference should bring us together not make us question each other.
